New-Look Miami Fusion at Top of MLS Standings After Two Games

NewsApr 15, 2001

CHICAGO (Sunday, April 15, 2001)
- A second-half goal by Tyrone Marshall lifted the Miami Fusion over the New England Revolution, 1-0, on Saturday as the Fusion improved to 2-0 for the first time in club history, despite playing shorthanded by two men for the final 13 minutes of the match, following the ejections of Diego Serna and Carlos Llamosa. With a revamped roster after missing the playoffs in 2000, Miami is alone at the top of the MLS standings in the young 2001 season as the only team to earn maximum points in their first two matches.

The defending MLS Cup champion Kansas City Wizards edged out the Los Angeles Galaxy, 2-1, in the Wizards' home opener to pick up their first win of the season. The Galaxy dropped to 0-2-0 on the night that Commissioner Don Garber presented the Wizards with their championship rings. The match was delayed 57 minutes late in the second half due to thunder, lightning and torrential rain as two tornados converged around Kansas City.

The Wizards' opponent in last year's championship game - the Chicago Fire - extended their home-field winning streak to 12 consecutive games over two seasons, defeating D.C. United by a 2-0 scoreline in the Fire's 2001 home opener. Fire midfielder Dema Kovalenko notched a goal and an assist in the victory, while forward Josh Wolff scored the other Chicago goal, finishing a well-placed header from Carlos Bocanegra.

The other three matches Saturday night were all close encounters as Dallas earned a 1-0 win over the Earthquakes in San Jose, the Columbus Crew defeated Tampa Bay, 2-1, in a Central Division show-down, and Colorado notched a late goal to draw the visiting MetroStars, 1-1.

After the opening 12 games of the regular season, just two matches have been decided by more than one goal. This week's schedule includes the first weekday game of the season as the league-leading Fusion travel to Kansas City to take on the defending champions on Wednesday, April 18. Soccer Saturday action resumes next weekend with a full slate of six matches, including national broadcasts on ESPN2 and Telemundo.